Hitler Foreign Policy Paper 1

1. You would expect Britain (and France) to be the most likely to take action to stop Hitler. Referring to Sources 20,28-33, explain what they show about why Britain did not intervene to stop Hitler until September 1939.

-According to source 20.32, Britain believed that there was nothing that either they nor France could do to stop the Germans from taking over Czechoslovakia. They thought this because Russia was 100 miles away, and they thought that Czechoslovakia would "simply be a pretext for going to war with Germany."

2. How does Source 20.34 help explain why the British government changed its approach?

-They believe that the Nazi regime basically has nothing left to their policy. The British people think that they have made mistakes in the past, but all their mistakes were justified. However, now it is like they have nothing left to justify their actions, and they have already ruined so many things. The British people don't want to deal with this anymore, so they are finally going to take some action to fix it.

3. What do Sources 20.35-38 illustrate about the Italian government's changing reaction to Hitler?

-In Source 20.35, Hitler appears to be curled up a bit, as though he is afraid and timid. He is also below a king of somewhat, which shows he has no power and he is looking for help. However in source 20.36, Hitler is beginning to venture off, and a man is saying hello to him. He doesn't seem so afraid, and he is not looked down upon as he was in the first picture. In source 20.37, Hitler's power begins to rise, as the audience is telling him to kill the other person in the picture.

4a. Explain the point of each of the cartoons in Sources 20.39-41.

20.39: This is displaying that Hitler is a bit of an evil pig, who is trying to gain power. He is seen as evil and powerful, as well as intimidating (as depicted by the claw on his arm)

20.40: Hitler is seen as the baby, and he is being overtaken by all of the Western powers.

20.41: Hitler is leading all of these men to attack the two men who are seemingly innocent.

4b. What does Source 20.42 show about the Soviet Union's changing reaction to Nazi Germany.

-Well, in this picture they are trying to make peace with each other as they sign the Nazi-Soviet pact. Everyone appears to be happy also, which shows that they were viewing these changes positively.

Homework 25; term 1

Worksheet 14: "The End of Hitler's Europe"

A. In this book "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich," William Shirer wrote that Hitler's decision to go to war with the USA was "one of his monumental miscalculations."

1. For what reasons can Hitler's declaration of war on America be described as a great mistake?

- America was strong and rich. Therefore America was able to send huge armies to fight bother Germany and Japan, and America could also send money to Britain and Russia (the only two European countries still fighting Germany.)

2. If Hitler had not declared war on America, do you think the outcome of the Second World War might have been different? Explain your answer.

-I think the outcome would be a bit different, because America provided money to Britain and Russia to help them in the war, which helped destroy Germany even more, ultimately causing them to loose. If America hadn't gotten involved, Germany probably would have had a better chance at winning because Russia and Britain wouldn't have had sufficient money to destroy Germany..

B. Do you think that General von Stauffenberg was right to try to kill Hitler on 20 July 1944? If the plot had succeeded do you think the course of events in history since 1944 would have been different? Explain your answer.

-I think his idea was contradictory. He killed Hitler to try to make peace, it doesn't work that way, because they are complete opposites. I think that if he had succeeded the course of events wouldn't have changed that much, because instead of Hitler being seen as evil, this general would be seen as evil. Nothing would have changed except that Hitler would no longer be looked up to, but another dictator would be.

Homework 24; term 1

Worksheet 13: "The Final Solution"

A. Rudolf Hoss, the commander of Auschwitz, said at his trial in 1946...

1. Judging by the evidence you have studied in this chapter, explain in detail why Rudolf Hoss can be considered evil.

-I don't think that a person can be considered evil, because nobody can be totally pure evil. Maybe he could be considered a bad person however, for killing so many people, and seeing it as completely okay.

2. Suggest why he thought he was not evil, despite the things he did at Auschwitz.

-In his frame of mind, he has justified reasons for doing what he was doing. He wanted to create a pure race, and he saw this as a way of doing it. I think that in his logic, he was not evil, because its not like he just wanted to kill people for the fun of it. He had reasons which seemed to fit his actions, and I think that matters a tremendous amount.

Homework 23; term 1

Worksheet 12: The Nazi Conquest of Europe

A. Study source B. What sort of life could German colonists look forward to in the "great German Reich?"

-They were going to be gaining more land, so the Germans could live on nice farms. All of the services would be in nice buildings, and everyone would have better roads.

B.Study source C and D.

1. Write down all the things that foreign workers were made to do by the Germans.

-They were forced to have labour fro as long as demanded by the employer. There were no working limits.

2. Write down all the things that foreign workers were not allowed to do by the Germans.

-They were not allowed to complain. They weren't allowed to go to church, theaters, or other cultural entertainments. They couldn't have sex.

3. Suggest as many reasons as you can why the Germans treated foreign workers so badly.

-Well, the quote says that every educated person is a future enemy, so therefore they might fear that the foreign people may come into greater power than they are in. However, they feel that if they treat the people badly then they will not have to worry about this.

C. Read source E carefully.

1. Explain in your own words what Hitler intended to do in the city of Leningrad.

-He wants to invade it and take it over, because he has no interest in helping to keep these people alive.

2. Judging by what you have read of Hitler's ideas, why do you think Hitler gave this order?

-He probably saw these people as a threat, and therefore he wanted to get rid of them before they rose to power.

Homework 22; term 1

Worksheet 11: "From Czechoslovakia to Poland."

A. Study the expressions on the faces of the Czechs in the photograph above. Notice the clenched fists. Imagine you are one of these people, and write a letter to a friend in another country explaining what has happened. In your letter, try to explain your feelings about the French and British as well as about the Germans.

Hello friend. I really don't like what Hitler is doing here in Germany. He is making us invade Czechoslovakia, because he wanted it to belong to Germany. He even got the French to agree with him. If Hitler doesn't get what he wants, a big war will occur, and France and Britain will be involved. I am so scared. He wants to plan for an invasion, and forget about the French. He keeps threatening the Czechs with war. I don't know what to do, but I know Hitler wants complete control, and we are all very afraid. I must go now, but I will write soon.

B1. What was the Nazi-Soviet Pact of 1939?

-This meant that Hitler could invade the Polish Corridor without worrying about Russia.

B2. Why do you think people were suprised by it?

-Because this caused the second World War to begin more or less.

Homework 21; term 1

Worksheet 10: Undoing the Treaty of Versailles

A. Test your understanding of what you have read by explaining what these words mean...

-Rearmament: the process of replacing the Treaty of Versailles

-Remilitarisation: the act or militarizing again

-Anschluss: a union

B. Explain how Hitler broken the Treaty of Versailles in each of the following years:

-1934: Hitler gave top secret orders for the armed forces to expand.

-1935: Hitler cast off the cloak of secrecy and announced in public that there would be compulsory military service and that the army would be built up.

-1936: Hitler ordered his army to march into the Rhineland.

-1938: Hitler felt strong enough to plan a union with Austria

In Class Work

Nazi Policy	Year	Impact
Hitler Youth	1934	Indoctrination of youth 8 million young Germans belonged to the Hitler Youth movement Propaganda to ensure Hitler's uprising. Physical and psychological damage
Adolf Hitler Schools	1937	The boys who did best in their performance books were sent to the Adolf Hitler Schools It encourages them to fight at a young age Worked like a caste system
Children, Church, and Women		The only thing woman were actively allowed to do was have children. Government set up homes for unmarried mothers but they were brothels and would be introduced to a pure Aryan man. Woman were encouraged to be plump because it helped with child birth. Church should not be part of a woman's life however the church did not prosper under Nazi rule. Protestants and Catholics were treated bad by Nazi's. Hitler set up the national Reich church that was the national Nazi church. Worshipped Hitler.
Compulsory Military Service	1935	Air force is established Army grew Unemployment got smaller/ there was more work
German Labor Front	1933	Replaced worker unions Longer hours Less money More government control Strikes were illegal Bettered workers lives

Homework 20; term 1

Worksheet 8: Leisure in Nazi Germany

A: Look at the photograph of the Strength Through Joy liner, then answer these questions.

1. Where might this liner have been going?

-Somewhere away from Germany

2. What do you think the people in this photograph all had in common?

-They were all happy because they were enjoying their leisurely time.

3. Roughly how much did it cost to go on trips like this?

-28 marks for a week.

4. This photograph was taken in 1943; Germany had been at war since 1939. Why do you think the Nazis were building liners like this rather than more warships?

-Well, if I was in this position I would much rather peace than war. By spending money to build these ships, they are preventing contributing more to the war, because they are focusing their money on relaxing and peace.

5. For what purpose do you think this photograph was taken? Explain your answer.

-This photograph was probably taken to attract people towards the Strength through Joy trips. This is because all f these people look so happy and cheerful, and when people see the happy people they will want to be just like them.

B. Read this joke which went around German in 1939...

1. Using the information you have read in this chapter, explain what this joke means.

-This is saying that once the war started, the Volkswagen shops were taken over by machine gun factories, because nobody had money to pay for cars anymore.

2. What does this joke tell you abuot the attitude of German people towards the government?

-It is showing that they have somewhat of a negative attitude toward the government.

Worksheet 9: Winning People Over, Propaganda and Censorship

A. Test your understanding of this chapter by explaining what these words mean...

-Propaganda: a form of advertising to persuade large numbers of people to think what you want them to think and to believe what you want them to believe.

-Rally: Goebbel's most spectacular form of propaganda.

-Censorship: to ban information or entertainment which the government thinks is harmful.

B. Here are three jokes which were popular in Germany in the late 1930's. One could be told without getting into trouble but the others could not. Which joke do you think was permitted? Explain why the others would not have been allowed.

-I am not sure, but I think that the third one would be permitted because it wasn't directly offending Hitler like the others were.

Homework 19; term 1

Worksheet 7: "Workers and Work in Nazi Germany."

B. Study the unemployment figures for 1933-9, then answer these questions.

1. Which year shows the greatest fall in unemployment? How do you explain this fall?

-January 1933. Because this is right when Hitler came to power.

2. Which year shows the smallest fall in unemployment? Why do you think this was such a small drop compared to other years?

-January 1939. Because the people in Germany were beginning to find work in new industries.

C. "History will judge us according to whether we have succeeded in providing work." What is your judgement? Complete these statements for an against the argument that Hitler succeeded in providing work.

Successful:

Before Hitler came to power in 1933, six million Germans were unemployed. By 1939 only three hundred thousand were out of work. This means that Hitler created millions of jobs in seven years.

Not successful:

Many of the jobs that Hitler provided were taken away from Jews and from women, so he wasn't actually creating new jobs. There were disadvantages in many of the jobs that Hitler created. men in the RAD were not paid wages. (then the page gets cut off so I can't see.)

Other Questions:

1. How did the Nazis use the education and indoctrination system to help establish an authoritarian state and acheive some of their aims?

-Well, in the education system they were teaching ids about Hitler and how amazing of a ruler he was. They told them they they should obey him, and they basically brainwashed the kids into believing that Hitler was the perfect leader. This helped them to acheive their aims because little kids were learning about Hitler, and therefore Hitler was able to rise to power much more easily. Indoctrination was used because kids were put into the Hitler Youth program.

2. Discuss at least three social and religous policies that help establish and authroitarian state and acheive some of their other aims.

- Women were forced to stay at home and take care of their children and families. This added to the aim of developing a perfect Aryian race.

-"Brothels" were created for unmarried women. In these homes, pure Aryan men were put with pure Aryan women so that they coudl create pure Aryan babies. This once again helped to acheie the goal of having a pure Aryan race.

-Mein Kampf was a bible that was created which was devoted completely to Hitler, and Hitler was viewed as the God. This was the only faith of the Nazis, and everyone was forced to follow this religion.

Alternative Assesment

A number left to dwindle.

That's all I am now

It is over; I will die.

The smell of burning bodies.

People suffering

The life of Jews is over

Homework 17; term 1

Worksheet 2: "The Road to Dictatorship."

A. Test your understanding of this chapter by explaining each of the following terms.

-Chancellor: prime minister

-Reichstag: the parliament

-Enabling Law: this let Hitler make laws without asking the Reichstag for its consent.

-one party state: the Nazi party was the only party allowed to exist in Germany.

-Gauleiters: district leaders

-block leaders: They were each in charge of one block of flats or group of houses.

B. Explain how Hitler increased his power on each of the following dates:

-April 7, 1933: Hitler put Nazi officials in charge of the local governments which ran Germany's provinces.

-May 2, 1933: Hitler closed down trade unions, took away their funds and put their leaders in prison.

-July 14, 1933: Hitler made a law against the formation of new Nazi parties. This said that the Nazi party was the only party allowed to exist in Germany.

-June 30, 1934: Roehm and the other SA leaders were arrested on Hitler's orders, taken to prison, and shot.

-August 2, 1934: President Hindenburg died, and Hitler immediately took of the presidency and gave himself the title "Fuehrer and Reich Chancellor."

C. Examine the photograph on the opposite page.

1. What allowed the Storm Troopers to do this to opponents of the Nazi Party?

-The Law for the Protection of the People and State

2. Why would you call this situation unfair, even though it was allowed by law?

Well, the law wasn't really fair because it banned the Communist and Socialists from taking part in the election campaign. That makes the election unfair because it makes it so that Hitler will win. The measures that the Storm Troopers took were also completely unjust, and inhumane, because it is not right to put someone in prison just because of the political party that the associate with.

Worksheet 3: The Nazi Police State

A. Test your understanding of this chapter by explaining what each of the following means:
-Gestapo - The German secret police under Nazi rule. It ruthlessly suppressed opposition to the Nazi's in Germany and occupied Europe and sent Jews and others to concentration camps. From 1936 it was headed by Heinrich Himmler.
-Protective Custody - The detention of a person for their own protection.
-Concentration Camps - A place where large numbers of people, especially political prisoners or members of persecuted minorities, are deliberately imprisoned in a relatively small area with inadequate facilities, sometimes to provide forced labor or to await mass execution. The term is most strongly associated with the several hundred camps established in Germany and occupied in Europe in 1933-45, among the most infamous being Dachau, Belsen, and Auschwitz.
-Death Head Units - Totenkopfverbande.

B. Study document A on the opposite page. Make a detailed list of the kinds of people who were likely to be arrested as 'Enemies of the State' in Nazi Germany.
- Jews
- Communist members of Reichstag
- People who speak badly of the Fuhrer
- People who apply for unemployment and are deemed "work-shy"
- People who are part of the Bibelforscher
- Homosexuals
- Professional criminals

C1. Judging by the evidence of document B, above, what do you think were the purposes of concentration camps?
- Workcamps (killing prisoners by feeding them insufficiently and working them to death)

C2. Suggest why the prisoners were treated so badly.
- Well they really wanted to kill them but they indirectly killed most of them or had "reasons" for killing htem

D. Study the photograph above, noting the date when it was taken.

D1. For what reason might the people have been imprisoned in the concentration camp?
- Being Jewish or gay
- Being a criminal
- Disrespecting or disobeying the Fuhrer
- Not fitting to the ideals of Nazi Germany

D2. How long do you think they have been in this camp?
- The people in this picture? Probably just arrived. Their clothes are still clean and they look healthy

D3. What sort of experiences do you think they have had since being arrested?
- Being kept in small quarters on the train on their way to the camp but they just got there so not much else

The Rise of Hitler; Paper 2

Although Hitler used some pretty intense methods which enabled him to rise to power, the social and economic conditions in Germany were the ultimate reason that Hitler became so powerful in 1919. The problems in the existing government caused the Germans to be fearful, therefore they looked for someone to fix all of their problems-someone new. Hitler happened to be around at this time, and he was able to use the downfall of Germany to his advantage as swept the people of Germany off their feet, being their savior.

The first major problem in the existing government was that the Weimar Republic was beginning to fail. One main issue that led to this was that the Weimar Republic accepted the Treaty of Versailles, which was completely biased against Germany. Germany was left out of every single article, and they did not benefit at all. The articles which they were mentioned in involved them having to make reparations to other countries, which isn’t fair when they weren’t getting any reparations paid to them in return. This angered the German people, especially since the Weimar Republic had accepted the Treaty. It led to Germans rebelling, while trying to overthrow the republic. The communists and the SPD refused to work together, which resulted in members organizing their own parties, which also led to more violence, and the downfall of the Weimar Republic. Some of the violence that occurred happened in March 1920 when right-winged political parties tried to seize power. This happened as a result of the government’s attempt to disband the Freikorps, and the German army took no action against the Putsch. As a result, Kapp resigned, and the government regained control. However, former members of the right wing groups remained hostile to the republic, so they decided to join Hitler’s private armies. The economy was also struggling a tremendous amount as a result of the enormous expenses of the war. Although Germany attempted to pay reparations, it only made matters worse. In August 1921, Germans asked to suspend making payments to France but France refused. This lead to a major German crisis, and created inflation. It got so bad that people had to spend their money the day that they got it, or it would be worth nothing the next day. Middle classes and small capitalizes were affected the most by the inflation, as they lost all of their savings. They looked to the Nazis for help. As a result, the more unstable the economy became, the more seats the Nazis won in the Reichstag. They started out in 1924 only having 32 seats, however, in only eight years time, they had 230 seats. This was all a result of the economic crisis in Germany. These events all aided Hitler in his rise to power, despite the fact that Hitler didn’t really do anything to create this. Hitler just appeared to be an outlet and an escape from all of the bad that was happening in Germany, because the people were so weak. He was able to gain power by taking advantage of their weaknesses, while ultimately caused him to be so powerful as time went on.

The Nazis offered many things which were appealing to the German people, especially in their time of crisis. Hitler investigated what made the Germans feel uneasy and weak, and then created tactics so that he could appear as a savior to them. One major ideal of the Nazis was national unity, which enabled the Germans to feel like they weren’t being targeted. This idea attracted the Germans towards Hitler because they were so angry at their own government for accepting the horrid things that were talked about in the Treaty of Versailles. The Nazis theory on national unity was a way to increase the German’s pride. Hitler tried to rid Germany of the “real causes” that led to the German downfall, by making Jews be the scapegoats. The Germans liked this idea because it increased their self esteem, and they were no longer felt that it was their fault that their republic failed. Hitler also promised to overthrow the Versailles Treaty and bring Germany to great power. He promised that all Germans would get to be in the Reich, which made the Germans feel as though they were being treated equally- something that they hoped for. He created a private army, which attracted young people because it gave them wages as well as a uniform. This was especially appealing because of the poor economy in Germany; anyone would do anything for money. Although all of these methods helped in Hitler’s rise to power, the ultimate reason for his rise was still a direct result of the social and economic problems in Germany. If the people of Germany weren’t in such a crisis, they wouldn’t be so weak and need to look towards Hitler for help.

Ultimately, the Germans saw Hitler as a messiah. He flew all around Germany through the air and made claims that he would be able t save them. His outstanding public speaking skills, as well as the way he conveyed his ideas with an emotional force, were the reasons that he was able to save Germany at their lowest point. The real reason he came to power was because he got to everyone just as they had reached their lowest point, which is the best thing that a future leader could do

homework 16; term 1

Outline for Paper 2:

Thesis: Although Hitler used some pretty intense methods which enabled him to rise to power, the social and economic conditions in Germany were the ultimate reason that Hitler became so powerful in 1919.

1. The problems in the existing government… (Everyone was so afraid, they looked for someone to recover all of their problems… someone new.)

a. Weimar Republic was starting to fail

i. It accepted the Treaty of Versailles, which left out Germany -> anger!

ii. Communists & SPD refused to work together, members organized own parties, more violence, attempts to overthrow republic

b. Violence

i. Kapp Putsch (March 1920)

1. Right wing groups tried to seize power; started when government tried to “disband” that Freikorps…German army took no action against the Putsch… Kapp resigned, government regained control; former members stayed hostile to republic -> joining Hitler’s private armies

c. Economic Issues

i. In 1919, Germany was almost bankrupt because of the enormous expense of the war…

1. Attempts to pay reparations were made, but made matters worse. August 1921, Germans ask to suspend making payments to France, but France refused = German crisis!

2. German inflation – people had to spend their money the day they got it, or it would be worth nothing the next day…

a. Middle classes and small capitalists were affected the worst- lost savings- looked to Nazis for help.

3. The more unstable the economy, the more seats Nazis won in the Reichstag

a. 1924- 32 seats… 1932, 230 seats

2. What Nazis offered

a. National unity… a way of making the Germans feel like they weren’t being targeted.

i. Rid Germany of the “real causes.” -> scapegoat on Jews…

ii. German pride…

b. Versailles treaty

i. Promised to overthrow, bring Germany to great power -> all germans would get to be in the Reich

c. Private army

i. Attracted young people… gave them money/ uniform

d. Hitler had good political abilities

i. The real reason he became into power, he got everyone when they were at their lowest point…

1. Public speaking, ideas with emotional force… parades, radio, film…

2. Traveled all over Germany through the air -> looked like a Messiah (savior to the Germans)